A traditional New England clambake is a feast that, in addition to clams, will include lobster, mussels, potatoes, corn and hot dogs. Yes, hot dogs.

Now, we can’t promise that the latter will appear on Feb. 23 when the Oxford Hotel ballroom, 1637 Wazee St., is transformed into a seaside resort for the 17th edition of Red Wine & Seafood, but this much is certain: Stephen Vice, executive chef of the sponsoring McCormick’s Fish House and Bar, always makes Red Wine & Seafood quite the culinary extravaganza. And so if he decides against putting weiners on the clambake menu, it’s doubtful they’ll be missed.

Red Wine & Seafood is put on by Volunteers of America as a benefit for its Brandon Center, a 118-bed shelter for homeless female veterans and women and children escaping domestic violence situations.

Co-chairs Kristi Fote and Quinn Washington note that only a handful of tickets remain for the 6 p.m. event. They’re $75 each ($40 is tax-deductible) and can be purchased online[2] or by calling 720-264-3321.

In addition to the food, guests also will enjoy silent auction bidding and the music of a jazz ensemble. Special guests will be the clambake “governors:” developer/philanthropist Larry Mizel; Denver Post chairman and publisher William Dean Singleton; Fotec Group founder Charlie Fote; Steele Street Bank chief Bob Malone; former Gov. Bill Owens and Joe Coors, the great-grandson of brewery founder Adolph Coors.

Others working to make Red Wine & Seafood a success are Anne Aguirre, Loujuana Terry, Jennifer Daurio, Leigh Vadas, Herminia Vigil and Emily Tarleton, president of the Volunteers of America Guild. In addition to McCormick’s, sponsors include Southern Wine and Spirits and 5280 magazine.